Mahathir would have voted “no” – Kula on Hadi’s Bill




KUALA LUMPUR, March 9: DAP’s Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran said that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would have voted a “no” against PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill, if the former premier was still a member of Parliament

“If Mahathir was there (in Parliament), he would vote against it (Hadi’s Bill),” the Ipoh Barat MP told The Malaysian Times (TMT) today, when asked to comment on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) leader Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that he is yet to be certain on his vote for the Bill.

Kula, who is also DAP vice president, said that it is highly likely the government would bring up the Hadi Bill to amend Syariah laws in parliament to garner support for the 14th general election (GE14).

“I think it is highly likely for political reasons in view of yesterday, the Election Commission (EC) announcing the second stage of the display of addition or reduction of voters or new constituencies and all that.

“So that shows that the government may bring the necessary amendments this June or July sitting and elections will be called in September.

“So they (BN) want to win this and get the support of people and say that they are in favor of this.

“They don’t want to defeat Hadi’s bill, otherwise they will shown as though they are not concern of the Muslims, I am quiet confident it will be debated,” said Kula.

He said that the motion is already in place , so after the MP have finished debating the Yang di pertua Agung’s speech until next Thursday.

“The following week for the three days the minister will reply on all these issues. That means until the end of the following week,the bill wont come up.

“Then after that there is every possibility that the government will bring it up anytime,” said Kula.

Hadi’s Bill is currently listed at No. 7 in the Order Paper behind several government Bills.

Hadi had tabled a motion on the last day of Parliament sitting in May 2016 after the Government allowed it to take priority over government Bills.

Hadi had, however, deferred debating the Bill and had it re-tabled after submitting an amended version in November 2016.

Among the proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 or Act 355 are to increase the maximum penalty to 30 years imprisonment, fine of up to RM100,000 and 100 lashes of the rotan. —TMT